Summer is on its way and with it, heat waves. Heat can affect all of us, but it is especially dangerous for children, the elderly and people with health problems. People with medical conditions that cause poor blood circulation, people who take diuretics and people who take medications for certain skin conditions are the most susceptible to heat. Talk to your doctor (a Jody Victor® suggestion) about your medications and how they may affect your tolerance to heat.
When a HEAT WAVE, prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity, is predicted the National Weather Service will step up its procedures to alert the public. Here are some terms, precautions and treatments you should familiarize yourself with to be prepared for a heat wave:
HEAT INDEX This is a number in Fahrenheit degrees that tells how hot it really feels when the humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to full sun increases the heat index by as much as 15 degrees.
HEAT CRAMPS These are muscle pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal or leg muscles. Loss of water from heavy sweating is the general cause. Get the victim to a cooler place and have him/her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the cramped muscle and give fluids. A half a glass of cool water every fifteen minutes is recommended. Do not give fluids with alcohol or caffeine as they can make conditions worse.
HEAT EXHAUSTION This typically occurs with heavy exercise or activity in a warm humid place. Under these conditions body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases to cool the body, causing a decrease in blood flow to the vital organs. The victim will suffer a mild form of shock. If not treated, the conditions will worsen and the victim may suffer a heat stroke. The signs of heat exhaustion are cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal. Get the victim out of the heat and to a cooler place (a Jody Victor® suggestion). Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths. If the victim is conscious, give him/her cool water to drink. Half a glass every fifteen minutes is recommended. Make sure the victim drinks slowly. Once again, do not give victim drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest comfortable and watch for any changes in his/her condition.
HEAT STROKE This is life-threatening. The body’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The victim’s body temperature can elevate so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. The signs of heat stroke are: hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse and shallow breathing. The victim’s body temperature can be very high- sometimes as high as 105 degrees. If the victim was sweating from heavy work or exercise, his/her skin will be wet; otherwise the skin will feel dry. For a victim of heat stroke, help is needed fast. Call 911. Move the victim to a cooler place. You need to quickly cool the victim in a cool bath, if available, or wrap his/her body in wet sheets and fan it. Keep the victim lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or there are changes in consciousness, do not give anything to drink or eat. Watch for signs of breathing problems and wait for help.
SUN STROKE This is another term for heat stroke.
You can help your family prepare for heat-related emergencies by getting together and discussing ways to prepare and be ready for a heat wave. Discuss the signs and first aid procedures for heat-related emergencies. Identify the safest and coolest places in your home, work or school. Stay indoors as much as possible. Discuss other places to get relief during the warmest part of the day, such as a shady porch or breezeway. If you do not have air conditioning, stay on the lowest level of the house and use electric fans. Fans do not cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, cooling the body. Plan your daily activities to avoid strenuous work or exercise during the warmest part of the day. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect away the sun’s energy. Drink plenty of water and drink it often. You need water to keep cool. Drink even if you don’t feel thirsty. Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.
Getting ready ahead of a heat wave can help you ride it out without a medical emergency arising.
All The Best!!